Machine for automatically pasting labels, wrappers, &amp;c.



T. A. RILEY.

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PASTING LABELS, WRAPPERS Patented Aug. 22,

APPLICATION FILED JANS, 1908. 1,001,304.

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T. A. RILEY.

MACHINE r011 AUTOMATICALLY PASTING LABELS, WRAPPERS, Aw.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3, 1908. 1,001,304. Patented Aug. 22, 1911.

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T. A. RILEY.

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PASTING LABELS, WBAPPEBS, he.

APPLICATION FILED JARS, 1908.

' Patented Aug. 22, 1911.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH C0-,WASH|NOTON. D. c.

T. A. RILEY.

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATIGALLY PASTING LABELS, WRAPPERS, &0.

APPLICATION FILED 1111.3, 1908.

1,001,304. Patented Aug. 22, 1911.

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T. A. RILEY.

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PASTING LABELS, WRAPPBRS M m 3 z V W 0 mw N M v w m n L A u u w u v A s. v

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THOMAS A. RILEY, OF CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND.

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PASTING LABELS, WRAPPERS, 8w.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented All". 22, 1911.

Application filed January 3, 1908. Serial No. 409,151.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS A. RILEY, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Central Falls, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Automatically Pasting Labels, lVrappers, &c., of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines or mechanism for automatically pasting labels or wrappers, and it consists of a yieldingly mounted table for supporting a pad of superimposed labels or units, a suitable paste supply, a freely revoluble paste-roll, and means for reciprocating the latter in a lateral direction, whereby when in use it may receive a coating of paste from said supply and then distribute it upon the upper or exposed surface of the top label 01' wrapper of the pad.

It further consists in providing the machine with means for automatically elevating the paste-roll and locking it out of action temporarily after it has completed the paste-distributing operation.

It also consists of mechanism for releasing or unlocking the paste-roll so that the latter is free to engage with the pasting means and to automatically adapt itself later to the upper surface of the pad of labels while it is distributing its paste thereon prior to the action of the disengaging and locking means.

It further consists of normally fixed or stationary small clips or fingers disposed around the outer edges of the pad or book and engaging the upper or exposed surface of the top label, thereby forming a stop to prevent the upwardly pressed pad from rising above the normal level of the pasting plane, and means for automatically depressing the pad so that the pasted top label may be readily removed.

The object I have in view is to produce a simple, efficient and inexpensive label-pasting machine, the same being capable of automatically coating in an expeditious, even and positive manner the upper one of a number of labels arranged in a pad form located contiguous to the paste supply; each thus coated label or unit being successively removed manually or by other suitable means as fast as it is pasted.

My improved label-pasting machine is self-contained and capable of being actuated by power from any suitable source. It is also readily adaptable to machines for covering boxes or other articles with labels which are pasted and supplied to the said machines by attendants. An example of the last-named, or box-covering machine, is shown and described in United States Letters Patent, No. (391,329.

By means of my improvement the labels are positioned with greater accuracy and facility; the label-:lt'ran'ie or holder is capable of being readily adjusted so as to receive labels varying in form and size; means are provided by which the attendant is enabled to quickly and positively place the box, or other article to which the pasted label is to be applied, in position upon the top label followed by automatically releasing the up ward pressure on the pad so that the box with the then adhering label may be readily removed; the quantity of paste or glue used during each coating of the label is materially less than heretofore used on similar labels, thus resulting in increased economy and superior work; the output from the machine is also increased, since the moving elements thereof are so timed that the attendant has ample time to place and remove the boxes or articles, singly, while the paste-roll is being recharged, and when my improved label-pasting machine is combined or associated with a box-covering machine, socalled, and conveniently positioned with respect to the vertically reciprocating plunger or block, on which latter the label-allixed boxes are successively placed by the attendant, the output of the covering machine itself is or may be materially increased.

In the accompanying live sheets of drawings, Figure 1 represents an end elevation of my improved automatic label-pasting machine associated with and adapted to be actuated by a box-covering machine, certain portions of the latter which are not deemed essential herewith being omitted. Fig. 2 represents, in enlarged scale, a plan view of my invention, the position of the parts corresponding with that shown in Fig. 'L. Fig.

3 is a transverse sectional view, taken on 2 line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is a plan view of the label or wrapper showing the open box positioned thereon, and also showing the plunger of the box-covering machine inserted in the box, the latter being properly lo :ated with respect to the pasting means. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the rear member of the adjustable label frame. Fig. (3 represents, in enlarged scale, aportion of said frame member and the means for mounting the clips or fingers therein. Fig. 7 is a crosssection taken on line 00 aof Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective View of one of the clips detached. Fig. 9 represents one form of wrapper adapted to be employed. Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view through the pasted upper wrapper or label and the box adhering to it, the line of section being indicated at .2 2, Fig. 2. Fig. 11 represents a portion of the frontend of the pasting machine, considerably enlarged, the main paste-roll being advanced to its limit to receive thereon a thin coating of paste. Fig. 12 is a corresponding plan view. F ig. 13 is a transverse section showing the advancing paste-roll at the commencement of its paste distributing action upon the upper wrapper of the pad. Fig. 14 is a similar view, showing it at the end of said action, the roll then being elevated above the normal pasting plane and locked in position preparatory to making the next return stroke to again engage the paste-rollers. F 15 represents a partial longitudinal sectional view, taken substantially on line 15 15 of Fig. 2. Fig. 16 is a partial side view, showing, in enlarged scale, the treadle attachment indicated in Fig. 1. represents a front end elevation of a self-- contained label-pasting machine embodying my improvements. Fig. 18 is a front side view thereof showing the lower part of the machine and its driving means, portions of the latter being sectionally represented. Fig. 19 is a partial longitudinal sectional view, taken substantially on line :1? m of Fig. 17, and Fig. 20 is a detached side view in partial section through 2 2 of Fig. 19, showing means for intermittingly depressing the pad of labels while the paste-roll is being charged.

The following is a more detailed description of my improvement and including the manner of its operation: It may be stated, however, that the portion of the box-covering machine indicated in the drawings herewith is substantially the same patented machine hereinbefore referred to. The frame a. of the latter is surmounted by a table 2, adapted primarily to support devices omitted from the accompanying drawings, since they have no especial relation to the mechanism hereinafter claimed. This table member is represented as being utilized for supporting the label or wrapper-pasting mechanism forming the subject of this application. The box-covering machine has a revoluble master cam A for actuating and controlling various mechanisms and including the int rmittingly vertically reciprocat- 1g plunger 7) (Figs. 1 and a), the plunger being arranged to maintain the paper or Fig. 1.

pasteboard box 6 thereon by friction while it is being mechanically and automatically enveloped by the properly shaped paper wrapper (Z. A belt-driven pulley a se cured to shaft a and a worm 0 meshing with gear a secured to the the vertical shaft (4 imparts continuous rotary movement to the latter and said cam. As drawn, said gear a is utilized for imparting laterally reciprocating movements to the main paste-- roll 1' of the pasting-machine, soon to be described. That is to say, a cam member 0 secured to the upper side of the gear serves to swing the lever a upwardly through the medium of a roll 0 mounted on the lever and located in the cams path. The lever o has a link a jointed to the free end thereof and to a short arm (H, in turn fixed to a rock-shaft a having an arm a to which is jointed a long connecting-rod at, its front end being ointed to a cross-head mounted to slide freely back and forth on the horizontal. guide-rods m. The shaft (4 extends longitudinally of the machine and carries another arm a at its opposite end; a rod a" connecting it with the rear cross-head for obvious purposes.

As drawn, a spring maintains the lever 0; in yielding contact with the gear. and its cam, thereby imparting forward movement to the cross-heads and causing the paste-roll to return to the paste-charging device. This latter is provided with a protected paste or glue containing tank or reservoir 2' located at the front side of the machine and 109 secured to a table in turn secured to the said main table t. See Figs. 2 and {3. Suitable lower and upper positively revoluble (by gears 70 Fig. 2) paste-agitating rolls, i 2' respectively, or other analogous members are located in the container; the lower roll being partly immersed in the paste at all times. This roll is secured to a suitably supported shaft i and carries a pulley (4 at its front end, power being transmitted to it by a belt leading from the small pulley at on said driving-shaft a See also Fig. 1.

To each cross-head 7c is pivoted a swinging short arm r having the paste-rolls shaft r journaled therein. Each arm memmer has a transverse hole It arranged to receive the adjacent end portion of an endwise slidable horizontal locking-pin u extending through the cross-head and provided with the enlarged disk-shaped outer head 24 This latter is adapted to engage a fixed wedge or tripping member s of the corre sponding front standard 3 (Figs. 11 and 12) so as to automatically withdraw the pin and release the roll just prior to bringing the latter into actual contact with the sur-' face of the driven paste-agitating roll 2' A concealed spring u causes the pin a to automatically enter the hole It and thus lock the 133 roll r in position against vertical or swing ing movement whenever the pin and hole A vertically disposed spring a register. and adjusting screw .9 carried by the crosshead (l igs. l3 and 14;) serve as a yielding check for limiting the upward swing of the roll, while a screw-threaded stop It .limits its downward HIOVOII'ICHt. Contiguous to the rear side of the label-franm are secured a pair of alining stationary roll-lifting members 0, the upper face of each being beveled or cam-shaped and located in the path of the rearwardly moving rolls shaft 9, the same being constructed and positioned so that when the shaft in its rearward movement engages and slides upon said inclineiil face the arms 1' will also be correspondingly moved upwardly until the holes /L thereof coincide with the then released pins u, at which instant the latter will spring into them, thus locking the roll in the elevated position until it is released at the termination of the next forward stroke.

The two cross-heads are ctmnected by a horizontal tie or rod 7L1 extending longitmlinally of the machine, the same being positioned above and. slightly in the rear of the main paste-roll r. ()n this rod are positioned and adjustably secitircd a pair of gageunembers it disposed with respect to each other and to the pad of labels so as to enable the attendant to rapidly, accurately and positively position the box (7, or other article to be covered or labeled, centrally upon the pasted label.

The label-frame consists essentially of the front and rear longitudinally extending vertical members a a, adjustably secured to the fixed base i 2, 3, 5, (l, '7 and 8), each member having a thin plate a secured to its upper edge and arranged at intervals to receive and hold therein a series of small steel clips or fingers of. These latter are substantially cylindrical and as drawn have each a t 'ansverse groove a on its underside at one end to engage said plate a. The opposite end a of the clip is made quite thin, llat and pointed so as to present a. very small exposed area to the label and to the paste-roll when the latter is passing thereover.. "l he clips a? for holding the shorter ends of the label are secured in suitably disposed posts.

tilhe bottom member of the label-summiting frame. etc, consists of a light rectangle lar rhapei'l bot lily movable (in a vertical direction) table, as d; the same being jointed on its underside to two oppositely ar ranged substantially horizontal weight car- .rying levers (Figs: 1, f2, 3 and 15) ful crmned at f" to the base Z. lly means of this arrangement or device a suitable degree of upward presuire may be maintained upon thepad of labels held between said table and clips, see Fig. 15. lvleans are also providcd for autonmtically releasing said pres sure from the labels tenmorarily during each 4loul le-reciprocation of the paste-roll. This device compr'es for each weight-lever f a short arm disposed below and arranged to contact with and lift the lever, adjust ably secured to a swinging member in turn secured to a rock-shaft having a short lever 5 fixed to its rear end. See also l ig. 2. The member 1 is jointed to a downwardly extemling wire connection to which latter is hooked a central vertical link 5 jointed to a treadle the latter being for manual control only. it means for automatically and intermittingly depressing the table if when combined with the box-covering machine before referred to consists in utilizing one of the horizontal arms of the verti cally movable guided frame 0 of said inachine. The said movable member is supported in a yoked lever 0 adapted for oscillating movement and pivoted in the stand ard c. The said connection is carried under the arm 0 and in such relation thereto as to be engaged by the same only during the downward movement of the frame 0 thereby causing the former to positively elevate the weights and temporarily depress the table and its pad of labels so as to permit the upper label to be readily removed. The weights a operate to return the pad to its normal position against the clips when the frame 0 next; moves upwart lly.

In the self-taintained machine shown in Figs. 1,7 to it) the construcliom arrangement and manner of operation are substantially the same as before described, the dillcrence residing in means for depressing the pad of labels aml in providing the driving mechanismwith a well-known device in which the power from a continuously running beltdriven loose pulley a is communicated to the driving-sharft c by a springpressctl key 1) slidably mounted in a collar a secured to the shaft, and a key shi l'ting member 0- operated by a treadle if so arranged that the shaft makes but one revolution and then stops, unless the treadle is held down. when continuous revolutions are made. The member a is wetlgoshaped transversely so as to gradually engage the shoulder of the key and witlnlraw the latter from the pulley when lhe wedge-nicmber is elevated or sub stantially concentric with the shaft. The shank a is jointed to the t'readle, an encircling spring a normally operating to press the member a into the operative position. The small pulley o and belt leading there from to pulley a of the bottom-roll shaft 21" imparts motion to the paste-imitating or stirring rolls 1." of the container I. As drawn. the cross-heads Z: carrying the main paste roll are positively reciprocated back and forth by means of the swinging operating lever j secured to a suitably mounted rock shaft j The movements of the lever being effected by a truck-roll e mounted on the lever and working in the groove of a patham a secured to said shaft. The labels (Z are superimposed upon and supported by the yieldingly mounted table d" and are prevented from rising above the normal pasting plane by clips a as before describet. In order to depress the pad or remove the pressure acting upwardly upon it, the device shown in Figs. 19 and 20 may be employed. In this case the table al has a central rod w jointed to and extending downwardly from its underside, its free end having a laterally projecting fixed pin 10 arranged to work in a slot to of a horizontal lever 10 pivoted at 4.0 to the frame of the machine. See Fig. 20. Movement is imparted to the lever through the medium of the vertically extending c011- nection w jointed thereto and mounted on an eccentric member of adjustably secured to said driving-shaft 6 Only a very slight downward movement of the table is required to free the label, simply enough to reduce the pressure by a corresponding elevation of the weights 20, this being effected when the upper end of said slots to of the descending lever 10 engages the pin to"; the adjustment of the parts being such that said release takes place before the newly charged pasteroll 9' commences its rearward stroke.

Assuming now that the improved pastingmachine be associated with a box-covering machine, and tnat the form of the superimposed labels or wrappers (Z resting flatwise on the yielding table (Z and the box a to be substantially as represented in the drawings, and further assuming that the several operative parts or elements have i been properly positioned and timed with respect to one another and to the Vertically reciprocating block or plunger 7), the operation is substantially as follows: The previously unlocked suitably tensioned main paste-roll 1' while returning to the end of its last forward stroke (Figs. 1 and 4) is first covered, when it arrives at a state of rest, with a thin film of the paste or glue applied thereto by the action of the continuously turnin rollers 2' i followed immediatelv thereafter by moving the cross-heads rearwardly to make the corresponding stroke,

which action at the same time causes the swinging roll 1* to rotate over the upper ex posed surface of the top label and evenly distribute the said coating of paste upon it, the pad of labels meanwhile being continuously pressed upwardly against the clips by the weights. It may be added here that the circumference of the roll is may be equal to the width of the label, thus insuring greater evenness in coating the latter. At or immediately preceding the termination of said stroke the roll-shaft r simultaneously contacts with the beveled faces of the two stationary members 0, thereby causing the arms a to swing upwardly a short distance, or until the holes h thereof register with the free ends of the guided spring-pressed pins M at which instant the latter spring into place and temporarily lock the roll in the inoperative position. See Fig. 14. The uninterrupted rotation of the driving-shaft a &c., now moves the crossheads and roll ahead and completes the forward stroke, thus making one double-stroke or cycle of movements. Just previous to the end of said forward stroke the heads a of the pins 24 will engage the stationary cams or wedgeshaped trippers a lying in their paths and automatically retract said pins from the arms r thus unlocking the roll and permitting it to drop to its limit or stop 7L thereby too placing the roll in position again against the driven paste-roll to be recharged with a thin film of paste. While the lastnamed or paste-charging operation is being accomplished the downward movement of the member a of the boxcovering machine is utilized in cooperation with the connections 9 &c., to automatically elevate the weight-arms f a short distance, thereby temporarily depressing the table d and the pad of labels or wrappers resting thereon and also freeing the uppermost or paste-coated label from actual contact with the projecting points of the clips 11 Simultaneously with or just prior to said movement of the pad, the cross-heads still remaining stationary, the attendant places an open box or unit 6 in the two positioned guide or gage members if and moves it downwardly until its bottom rests flatwise upon the last-pasted label 10) thus accurately positioning and centralizing the box, and immediately thereafter lifts the box and with it the fiat label adhering to it and places the same upon the underside of the then vertically elevated plunger 7) of the box-covering machine (Fig. 4), the relation of the pad to the plunger being such that said transfer may be readily and quickly efiected. After the box has been covered with said label and discharged from the machine the latter will have again brought the plunger in position to receive another box, the label of AVlllCll has been paste-coated during the process of covering the previous one, thus completing the cycle of operations.

ll claim as my invention and desire to secure by United States Letters-Patent:

1. In a machine of the character hereinbcfore described, a paste container and agitator, a suitably mounted freely revoluble pasteroll, a relatively stationary frame for centralizing therein a pad or pile of labels, a movable weight-pressed bottom plate member for supporting the labels, clips po sitioned to engage the edges of the exposed surface of the upper label, and means for reciprocating the paste-roll in a lateral direction 't'or intermittingly charging it with paste from said pasting device and when in use distributing it over the exposed surface of the uppermost label oil. the pad.

2. in a machine oil the character dcscribtal, the combination with a vertically movable \veighepresscd plate or table for supporting a pad of labels thereon, a stationary frame for maintaining the labels in position tlatwise or horizontally with relation to said table, and stationary clips disposed above the table so as to engage the upper label, ot. a revolubly mounted paste-carrying roll, means for reciprocating the roll bodily in a lateral direction so as to distribute the paste therefrom onto the proximate surface ot the upper label, and means for automatically and temporarily withdrawing the pressure from the pad after the paste-roll has passed thereover so that the thus pasttrtmvcred label may be readily ren'iovtal.

3. In a machine of the cl'lartwtcr described, the combination with a guided crosshead and means for reciprocating it back and forth, of a freely revolnble vertically movable paste-roll mounted in and carried by the cross-head, and means for automatically locking and unlocking the roll during each tlotlble-reciprocation oil the ()lTtHS-lltiltl, so that the revoluble roll is rendered immovable vertically dintii'ig one portion oi said stroke and tree to move vertically within tixed limits during another portion oi the stroke, for the purpose hereinbet'ore set. :torth.

4 Tu a machine otthc characterdescribed, the conibination ot a weight-prcssed table adapted to support thereon a pad of superimposed labels or analogous units, adjustably mounted stationary side members arranged with respect to the perimeter or outline of the labels and 'eonstituting a frame or holder "for them, clips or fingers secured in said frame for engaging the upper label of the pad and also 'liorming a stop therefor, a freely reveluble paste-tarrying roll, mechanism for reciprocating the roll so as to transfer paste therefrom onto the exposed surface of the uppermost label during its workin g stroke, means for preventing the roll from engaging the pad while completing its return stroke, and means for antomatically depressing the pad so as to readily permit of the removal of one or more of the labels.

In a machine of the character described, the combination with a yicldingly mounted table, and a frame and clips for supporting and holding a pad ot superimposed labels or analogous units, of means for antomatically distributing paste on the ex posed surface of the top label, means for depressing the pad at predetermined intervals, and one or more gages disposed With respect to and above the pad whereby an attendant operator may readily and accurately centralize or position therein a box or other article upon the paste-covered surtace o'l. the label.

(3. In a scl:lcontain al automatic label pasting machine, the combination with the main frame, a weightresisted table or member adapted to support a. series of suitably positioned superimposed labels, and clips for maintaining the uppermost label at a normal level, otl a device for distributing paste upon said label, adjnstably mounted box-positioning gages disposed in advance Oil? and movable in unison with said paste-distributing device. and means for releasing pressure from the paste-covered label so as to readily pern'iit ot the latters removal.

7. In a label-pasting machine, a yicldingly mounted member for supporting a pad or pile o't. labels, a relatively movable member for coating the exposed ttace ot the upper label with an adhesive material, means for rendering the coating member tem un'arily inoperative with respect to the thus acted upon label, means for centralizing a box upon the latter, and mechanism tor depressing the pile. of labels so that the box with its atlixed label may be readily removed itrom the machine.

8. In a machine ot'thecharaeter described,

the COIDhlIltll'lOIl with a reservoir, means for agitating suitable adhesive material contained therein, a yieldingly mounted table for supporting a pad of superimposed labels, and stationary upper clips or fingers against which the pad is normally pressed, of a movable member adapted to be covered with the said adhesive material and for distributing it upon the exposed taco oi the upper label, means for actuating said movable men'iber, devices for automatically disengaging the latter trom the labels, locking it in the inoperative position immediately thereafter and unlocking it before being again brought into action, and means for temporarily reducing the pressure upon the pad.

I 9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a yieldingly supported table member adapted to receive flatwise thereon a pile of arranged labels, means for normally maintaining the top label of the pile at a substantially uniform level while at the same time preventing the label "from being accidentally removed or dism-ranged, a paste-carrying roll, a device for charging the latter with paste irom a suitable supply, mechanism for actuating the roll so as to apply paste therefrom onto the upper or proximate surface of the'top label, and means for disengaging the roll from the label and returning it while thus disengaged to the normal charging position.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a vertically said roll for positioning and centralizing the movable table, and a relatively stationary box or unit 6 upon the said coated label. 10 frame and clips for holding a pad of super- Signed at Providence, R. 1., this 31st day imposed labels in position, of a movable roll of December 1907.

member for coating the top face of the up- THOMAS A. RILEY.

per. label with suit-able adhesive material, Vitnesses:

and gage members positioned above the GEO. I-I. REMINGTON,

labels and movable bodily in unison with A. W. RIELY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

